The Start-Up Visa is an ideal visa category for new entrepreneurs who wish to set up a business in the UK for the first time.
The earliest you can apply for a Start-Up Visa is 3 months prior to travelling to the UK.
You may be able to switch to a Start-Up Visa if you meet the eligibility requirements. As the rules have been relaxed, most people can switch as long as your current visa status is not: as a Visitor; oras a short-term student; oras a parent of a child student; oras a seasonal worker; oras a domestic worker in a private household; oroutside the Immigration Rules.
You can bring your family members (‘dependants’) with you, namely your husband, wife or partner and children under 18. Importantly, they must apply for the relevant Dependent Visas.
You may establish a new and innovative UK business only. If you wish to join or take over an existing UK business, other visa categories are available such as: Tier 1 (Investor) VisaSkilled Worker VisaSole Representative of an Overseas Business Visa
A decision on a Start-Up Visa can take up to 3 weeks if you’re outside the UK and up to 8 weeks if you’re in the UK. You can check the Home Office guide processing times to find out how long obtaining a visa might take in your country. These times may prove to be longer as a result of the Covid19 pandemic which has slowed down the overall process. If you wish to receive a decision quicker, our team can help you with Priority services where available. The best way to ensure that the process is quicker on your end is by putting together a clear and convincing application and supply all key documentation on time.
The cost of a Start-Up Visa is £378 per applicant and £508 if you are switching to this visa. You may have to include additional costs such as the healthcare surcharge and the cost of having biometrics taken.
You do not need to be the sole founder of the business in order to be eligible for a Start-Up Visa. You can apply as a member of an entrepreneurial team. Nevertheless, each member of the Start-up team must be issued their own individual endorsement and meet all the other requirements.
The Start-Up Visa allows you to remain in the UK for up to two years.
If an endorsement has been withdrawn or the endorsing body loses its status, the Home Office will consider curtailing the leave of any start-up migrants or innovators it had endorsed. They may do so with immediate effect, or to allow you to retain part of the remaining duration of their visa, or not to curtail your leave at all. If your leave is curtailed, you would need to secure a fresh endorsement from a new Endorsing Body.
QC Immigration can help Increase your chances of your UK visa application being accepted with the help of our experienced immigration lawyers.